Kids, Hurricane Get Chance To Show True Colors

Three weeks ago, before the scholastic footballl season began, Northampton Coach Dick Snell said he didn't give his team "a whole lot of a chance to beat Liberty this season."

But wins over Freedom and Emmaus in the first two weeks of the season have changed Snell's thinking. In fact, he feels quite good about the chances of his Konkrete Kids tonight as they host the Hurricane in what figures to be the feature attraction on a heavy scholastic football schedule in The Morning Call area.

The Northampton-Liberty game is just one of 16 games on tap tonight, with 10 more slated for tomorrow. Among tonight's other key matchups are an intracity battle between Dieruff and Central Catholic and an early season Centennial League showdown between East Stroudsburg and Palmerton.

Most preseason predictions had Northampton destined for the middle of the East Penn Conference pack. But a 27-12 season-opening win over Freedom, followed by a 42-28 trouncing of Emmaus last week has eyebrows raised.

Liberty, meanwhile, has not lived up to its billing thus far. The Hurricane, expected to finish first in the league, lost to Bethlehem Catholic 24-19 in its opener and then struggled to get past Dieruff 16-13 last week.

Thus, tonight's game gives both clubs a chance to show their true colors.

"We're anxious to see just what kind of team we really have here," said Snell. "Winning our first two games has developed a great amount of confidence and generated a lot of enthusiasm. But the kids have been good about keeping things in perspective. They haven't gotten big heads. They know we have to take it one game at a time and continue to work hard. And that's what they have done. We've had a great week of practice."

Liberty, too, has worked hard this week in an effort to get its act together.

"We're not the team we could be at this point; we're no where near the level that we're supposed to be, according to all the preseason forecasts" said Hurricane Coach Bob Hepler. "Everybody's been waiting for someone else to set the spark. But what I've tried to tell the kids is that each one must set his own spark."

According to Hepler, Liberty continues to be a slow starter. The Hurricane, which came from behind to win six games last season, has again developed a knack for digging early holes. Against the Konkrete Kids, a slow start could be fatal, since Northampton can bury an opponent with its high- powered offense, led by quarterback Paul Kornfeind.

Kornfeind has rushed for 263 yards and four touchdowns, while throwing for two more. He has also dashed in for a pair of two-point conversions.

"Kornfeind is easily the most deceptive quarterback in the league," said Hepler. "He's just a tremendous ballhandler; and from talking to Dick (Snell), I understand he's quite an intelligent boy as well. I've been preaching to our defense all week to stay at home, to not go for the first fake. But I'm sure that every coach says that to his team before playing them."

Northampton amassed 454 yards rushing behind anexerienced and strong offensive line last week and has rarely had to pass the ball in its first two games. But Snell admitted that the Kids might open up a little more tonight.

"We looked at the films and saw a few things that Dieruff did well in the air against them, and we might try a few similar things," said Snell. "But we still have a lot of confidence in our line and ground game.

"The important thing is that we do not hang our heads if Liberty scores first. I hope our kids keep their composure because we've proven that we can score some points."

Snell said his staff has made a few defensive changes to put bigger people on the line to match up against the Hurricane's huge and experienced offensive front. Snell noted that Liberty "doesn't do a lot of fancy things on offense," but added that he was concerned about containing speedy backs Warren West, Jim Frank and Earl Page on the corners.

Snell feels his team will need its best defensive effort of the season to stay with the Hurricane. The Kid mentor said that the homefield advantage is a plus.

"We're very happy to be playing this one at home and I'm hoping that the crowd will get behind us early," said Snell. "I know there's a positive feeling developing in the community.

"These people have had a long, frustrating wait for a good football team (1977 was the Kids' last winning season) and they are excited about our start. People who never talked to me before are now coming up to me at the jayvee game and are congratulating me and offering encouragment. Sure, pressure has been developing. But that's what I'm in coaching for.

"I much rather have the pressure of continuing a winning roll rather than having the pressure of looking for that first win. To me, the challenge of a big football game like tonight's, is what it's all about."

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While the Northampton-Liberty game will go a long way in sorting out the haves and have-nots in the EPC, the East Stroudsburg-Palmerton game will say a lot about the Centennial League race.

The Bombers and Cavaliers both come into the game with 3-0 records overall and Palmerton, under first-year coach Jack Sweeney, is yet to yield a point.

In wins over Pen Argyl, Southern Lehigh and Pocono Mountain, the Bombers have outscored opponents 66-0. East Stroudsburg, meanwhile, has outpointed its foes by a 98-6 count. Only Bangor has dented the Cavalier defense for a score thus far.

The Palmerton attack is led by tailback Tim Wargo, who has scored seven TDs so far. Last week against Pocono Mountain, the 5-11, 170-pound senior gained 152 yards on 24 carries and scored two touchdowns.

East Stroudsburg's top offensive threat is tailback Jerry Alspach, who rushed for 165 yards on eight carries and scored five touchdowns last week against Pleasant Valley.